Name: Who really knows what a life is?
Start: 2026-09-08T19:45:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-08T21:15:00+02:00
Location: filmforum

An actress, a painter, a life on the edge of modernity

In the filmforum Duisburg, cinema meets stage art, biography meets research, present meets past. Who really knows what a life is? follows actress Katharina Stark on her journey into the world of Paula Modersohn-Becker – the artist who died at 31 yet is considered one of the defining voices of modernity. The result is a carefully crafted cinematic experience with documentary tension, artistic precision, and a quiet emotional impact. ([duisburglive.de](https://www.duisburglive.de/event/2026/09/08/wer-weiss-schon-was-ein-leben-ist-20260908/?cHash=6fbc5ad5d894cd4bce06f52c78c18f1b&utm_source=openai))

Between role work and artistic investigation

The allure of this production lies in its dual movement: The staging not only observes Paula Modersohn-Becker but also the process of getting closer. Katharina Stark becomes a seeker, examining places, images, and narratives without prematurely smoothing over the historical figure. It is precisely from this that the theater atmosphere that characterizes great representations emerges: from uncertainty, dedication, and the risk of making something unavailable visible. ([duisburglive.de](https://www.duisburglive.de/event/2026/09/08/wer-weiss-schon-was-ein-leben-ist-20260908/?cHash=6fbc5ad5d894cd4bce06f52c78c18f1b&utm_source=openai))

Worpswede, Paris, and the question of one’s own perspective

The cinematic dramaturgy leads from Worpswede to Bremen to Paris, thus opening up a wide art-historical resonance space. Those familiar with the works of Paula Modersohn-Becker immediately recognize the power of her gaze: reduced forms, vibrant colors, an imagery beyond decorative conventions. Advance reports emphasize how much the film explores the tensions between artistic freedom, social pressure, and female self-assertion. ([programmkino.de](https://www.programmkino.de/filmkritiken/wer-weiss-schon-was-ein-leben-ist-2/?utm_source=openai))

A house with film history as a fitting venue

The filmforum Duisburg is not just any screening place, but the first municipal cinema in Germany. The unique atmosphere of the house, reminiscent of a film palace from the 1950s, enhances the impression of a carefully curated cultural evening. For visitors, this means: good connections, a clear address at Dellplatz, and a place where program cinema culture is palpable. ([duisburglive.de](https://www.duisburglive.de/event/2026/09/08/wer-weiss-schon-was-ein-leben-ist-20260908/?cHash=6fbc5ad5d894cd4bce06f52c78c18f1b&utm_source=openai))

What makes this evening special

This is not about mere retelling, but about approaching as an artistic method. The direction by Annelie Boros and Vera Brückner combines research, performance, and reflection into a dense documentary film that simultaneously resembles a quiet stage piece about the conditions of creation. Those interested in acting, biographical films, art history, and the fragile presence of great female figures will experience an evening rich in depth and resonance. ([programmkino.de](https://www.programmkino.de/filmkritiken/wer-weiss-schon-was-ein-leben-ist-2/?utm_source=openai))

Conclusion: Who really knows what a life is? promises an intelligent, moving cinema evening with art-historical power and emotional closeness. Those who embark on this quest will have an impressive encounter with Paula Modersohn-Becker and her radical independence. A visit to the filmforum is worthwhile for all who want to not just see but feel culture. ([duisburglive.de](https://www.duisburglive.de/event/2026/09/08/wer-weiss-schon-was-ein-leben-ist-20260908/?cHash=6fbc5ad5d894cd4bce06f52c78c18f1b&utm_source=openai))